Philippines to Modernize TVET System with $100M ADB Loan

The Investment Coordination Committee–Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) on Friday approved key enhancements to a project that aims to modernize the Philippine technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system. "The government's investment in technical and vocational education is an investment on the Filipino people," ICC-CC Chair and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said in a statement. "By expanding access to quality training, modern facilities, and industry-relevant skills, we are helping more Filipinos build better opportunities for themselves and their families," he added. According to the committee, the Supporting Innovation in the Philippine Technical and Vocational Education and Training System (SIPTVETS) Project will improve TVET graduates' employability in a technology- and knowledge-driven labor market. Led by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the project supports TVET modernization through improved training quality and industry partnerships, upgraded facilities and equipment, and enhanced institutional capacity. The approved adjustments include relocating six host institutions and establishing a new Regional TVET Innovation Center (RTIC) in the Negros Island Region (NIR), bringing the coverage to 18 centers. The project is backed by a $100 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), approved in 2022, to help the country's TVET ecosystem respond to new labor demands across industries globally. Apart from TVET modernization, the ICC-CC also recommended adjustments to key infrastructure projects, including the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project and the Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector (PTCOBC) Project. The recommendations are set for final approval by the Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. "All the recommended project adjustments reflect the government's continued efforts to ensure that priority investments deliver tangible benefits for Filipinos – expanding skills training, cutting commuting time through better transport systems – contributing to improved public services and broader economic opportunities," the committee said.